CHAP. XXIV. CUREEXTS IX THE GULF. 59 



and strengtli of tlie currents and tides in this entrance, 

 that he can say nothing certain or definite about them.' 

 An inward current exists at the north entrance, throudi 

 the Straits of Belle Isle, as shown by the presence of ice- 

 bergs, which it transports into the Gulf every summer 

 against the prevailing SW. winds, sometimes carrying these 

 Ai'ctic travellers nearly as far as the east point of Anti- 

 ^ costi. During NE. winds this current runs inwards, at the 

 rate of two knots an hour ; through the strait, how- 

 ever, the rate is usually much less. The course of this 

 current up the Gulf is determined by the north coast, as 

 far as Point Natashquan ; here it meets with a weak 

 current coming from the westward between Anticosti 

 and the north coast, during westerly winds. The united 

 streams then take a southern course, at a diminishing rate 

 as they become more widely spread, and finally joining 

 the main downward current out of the St. Lawrence, they 

 all pursue a SE. direction towards the main entrance of the 

 Gulf, between Cape Eay and the Island of St. Paul. 'It 

 is this current from the northward which is felt by ves- 

 sels crossing from off the Bird Eocks towards Anticosti, 

 and which, together with neglecting to allow for the local 

 attraction of the compass, has been the principal cause of 

 masters of vessels so often finding themselves unexpectedly 

 on the south coast. Many shipwrecks have arisen from 

 this cause near Cape Eouen, Gaspe, Mai Bay,' &c.* 

 The main current of the St. Lawrence is widely distributed 

 over the estuary, and there is no upward stream of the 

 tide all along the south coast, from Cape Gaspe to a few 



* Bayfield. 



